Magic Farm 166

Chapter 166: The Spring God Festival

“Lord Qi Yu!”

They had barely stepped out of the Magicians’ Association when several figures hurriedly approached.

Qi Yu looked up and immediately recognized them.

It was President Sean of the Borg Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by his son Leslie, with a few men trailing behind who looked very much like bodyguards.

President Sean’s eyes instantly fell on Qi Yu’s new badge, and he exclaimed, “The last time I saw you, you were a three-star magician, but in just a month, you’ve already advanced to four stars?”

Jinqian unconsciously straightened his back. Having just been briefed by the boss, he now covertly sized up the group.

Sure enough, they all wore similar badges. The emblem was different from the boss’s, but the meaning must be much the same.

So, these were professionals too?

But there was something else he was paying attention to—President Sean’s way of addressing the boss.

Qi Yu? Or was it a similar-sounding name?

Was this the name the boss used in the native world?

Jinqian thought it over and found it perfectly understandable: after all, you couldn’t very well introduce yourself to someone as “I Am Survival Game.”

Qi Yu was a little surprised. “President Sean, what brings you here?”

“I came here specifically for you, Lord Qi Yu.” President Sean laughed heartily, afraid Qi Yu might misunderstand, and quickly explained, “You left in such a hurry last time, I never got the chance to play host.”

“Since I couldn’t find any trace of you, I had no choice but to station people at the Magicians’ Association. The moment you appeared, they were to report to me.”

He laughed boisterously. “You did me a huge favor. This time, please, you must allow me to treat you to a meal.”

He turned his gaze to Jinqian at Qi Yu’s side. “And this is?”

Qi Yu said, “A friend of mine. His name is—”

Jinqian, who had planned to play the role of a quiet sidekick while the boss conversed with this apparently familiar native, suddenly realized his thunderous in-game ID was about to be spoken aloud. He couldn’t care about manners anymore and quickly interrupted, “Jinqian! Just call me Jinqian.”

Qi Yu nodded. “Yes, Jinqian. He’s an alchemist.”

President Sean’s eyes lit up, and he praised, “As expected of Lord Qi Yu’s friend. Mister Jinqian is truly a promising young man.”

Qi Yu introduced them, “This is President Sean of the Borg Chamber of Commerce, and this is his son, Leslie.”

He paused, glanced at the group behind President Sean, and said, “The others, I don’t know.”

A chamber of commerce president!

Jinqian looked at the middle-aged man beside the boss, whose attitude was both close and respectful, and was amazed.

Boss, even if you told me right now that you’re not actually from Blue Star, but a native undercover in Survival Game, I’d believe you.

Really, Golden Cave City seems more like your hometown than Star Forest ever did!

Zone 01 Regional Channel:

[Need A Bit Of Money To Save: I’ve really broadened my horizons today!]

[Need A Bit Of Money To Save: Boss is incredible!]

External exploration was pretty much the hottest topic among players these days.

Up until today, everyone knew that only the boss and I-Ming had ventured out.

One spoke little, the other seemed to have been imprisoned the moment he left.

No one had any real idea what to expect from exploration.

Finally, today brought the anomaly “Need A Bit Of Saving.” He actually started a live broadcast in the regional channel.

A native city, with architecture, clothing, and customs utterly different from Blue Star.

In the photos he posted, there was none of the caution or suspicion everyone had expected—no wariness of native plots or conspiracies.

He was like a travel blogger, arriving in a completely unfamiliar city, using the survival panel to record everything he saw.

Those with simpler minds just enjoyed the view, peering through the photos to observe the world outside Survival Game.

But most of the top-ranking players, seeing Jinqian’s “relaxed” attitude, realized something.

Their number one boss was perhaps far more formidable than they had imagined. At least in the matter of exploration, he had gone much farther than anyone else.

[Grind Emperor: What’s going on?]

[Need A Bit Of Money To Save: I’m following the boss outside, and we ran into a chamber of commerce president. Turns out he knows the boss too, and insists on treating us to a meal!]

[Need A Bit Of Money: I’m really curious what the boss actually did. Why does it feel like everyone in this city knows him, and treats us so well?]

[Need A Bit Of Money To Save: Folks, this is what it feels like to latch onto a big shot. I’ll post pictures for everyone soon, hehe.]

Compared to last time, President Sean was much warmer toward Qi Yu.

He didn’t hide it, and said directly that the goods he bought from Qi Yu last time had made the auction a huge success.

He had even managed to connect with people he’d never have dreamed of reaching before.

What President Sean didn’t mention was: the story should have ended there, just a lucky merchant who struck it rich overnight.

The big shots he’d met weren’t particularly friendly, only telling him that if he got more goods from Star Forest, he should send them first.

But a few days ago, all their attitudes changed at once.

The imperious imperial nobles suddenly became enthusiastic; several families invited him to balls and banquets.

President Sean wasn’t stupid. He knew these big shots hadn’t changed their tune because of his personal charm.

He spent a fortune in gold coins and finally managed to dig up a clue—it was all because of Lord Qi Yu.

Lord Qi Yu seemed to have done something significant in the distant Kyra Empire.

But no matter how much gold he spent, he couldn’t find out exactly what.

That didn’t matter, though. He was keenly aware: Lord Qi Yu was his benefactor!

He immediately set out from Aura Royal City back to Golden Cave City. Since he couldn’t get any information at the Magicians’ Association, he resorted to the most basic method—stationing people to keep watch.

In short, he had to hold tightly to this connection with Lord Qi Yu.

He had a vague premonition: the Borg Chamber’s fortune was tied to Lord Qi Yu.

Qi Yu listened to his effusive thanks, feeling a bit baffled.

He said, “I didn’t go out of my way to help you last time. We made a fair trade—I just sold you some goods.”

President Sean’s tone was grateful. “Even so, you truly brought enormous benefit to the Borg Chamber.”

Qi Yu replied, “That was your own good luck.”

He added, “I used the gold I earned from you to get many things myself.”

In fact, even if President Sean hadn’t come looking for him, he’d planned to bring Jinqian to the Borg Chamber to sell goods this time.

President Sean laughed and nudged his son forward.

He was a shrewd man. Though he’d only met Lord Qi Yu a few times, he already had a sense of his character.

With someone so straightforward, perhaps his foolish son might actually have a better chance of making an impression.

He excused himself, saying he had business to attend to, and left the young people to talk.

As soon as his father left, Leslie blurted out, “Lord Qi Yu, you really are my benefactor!”

He said cheerfully, “My parents used to scold me for being useless, but ever since I met you, my father hasn’t scolded me once.”

He asked curiously, “Lord Qi Yu, how long will you be staying in Golden Cave City this time?”

Qi Yu replied, “It depends. I might leave before nightfall, or maybe tomorrow morning.”

Jinqian’s eyes lit up instantly.

Heaven knew, ever since entering Survival Game, he’d never seen what the world looked like after dark.

Hearing the boss say this, did it mean that in the native world, night was normal?

He was very tempted, but held back, saying nothing.

A sidekick had to know his place, and follow the boss’s lead in everything.

Leslie’s eyes brightened. “Then why not stay in Golden Cave City for a night, my lord? The city is holding the Spring God Festival right now, and every evening is lively.”

“The Spring God Festival?”

Leslie was brimming with enthusiasm. “It’s a tradition here—every year, during the second month of spring, the whole month is a time of celebration. At night there are flower parades, and the city lord’s manor, the nobles, all the major chambers, associations, and even some wealthy merchants give out free flowers, wine, and food. There are fireworks, too.”

Remembering that Qi Yu was a magician, he quickly added, “The Magicians’ Association also sends members to cast blessing spells for the townsfolk.”

It all sounded very festive.

Qi Yu was a little tempted.

He thought for a moment and said, “If there’s nothing urgent at home, then I’ll stay and have a look.”

After all, his exploration was different from using an exploration scroll. Whenever he wanted to go home, he could just select “go home” on the survival panel and summon the wilderness carriage.

Leslie immediately promised, “I’ll show you around tonight!”

Then he remembered something else. “I mentioned this last month, but since you come to Golden Cave City so often, it’s inconvenient not to have a place to stay. Let me give you a house!”

Jinqian: ???

Wait, how did we suddenly get to the topic of houses?

Are you saying that while I haven’t even bought my own place on Blue Star, my boss is about to own property in the native world?

Is this for real?

Qi Yu said, “No.”

He and President Sean and his son weren’t close enough for such a large gift.

Rejected again, Leslie didn’t insist.

He settled for the next best thing. “Then let me arrange your lodging for tonight.”

He also told Qi Yu, “If you ever want to live in Golden Cave City long-term, you can apply for a member’s residence at the Magicians’ Association.”

Qi Yu made a mental note.

He told Leslie, “We came to Golden Cave City today for two reasons: to sell goods, and to buy supplies. If there’s time left, we’ll have a look around the city.”

Jinqian nodded eagerly—he’d packed his backpack full, just as the boss had advised!

He hadn’t expected Leslie to be even more excited than he was. “Sell goods? Are they from Star Forest?”

He was so excited he almost reached out to shake Qi Yu’s hand, but seeing Qi Yu’s cool demeanor, he hesitated and instead grabbed Jinqian’s hand.

“Please, sell all your goods to the Borg Chamber!”

Jinqian: !

So not all natives were shy—he liked this enthusiastic friend!

He immediately gripped Leslie’s hand in return. “Of course. If you’re the boss’s friend, you’re my friend too! As long as the price is right, anything can be arranged.”

“The price will be right,” Leslie said, feeling a kinship with his new friend. “I guarantee, whether you’re selling or buying, the Borg Chamber will offer the best price.”

[Author’s Note]

Dear readers, I need to rest for another day. No more late nights for now. I’ll resume updates once I’m feeling better. [heart]